TH23A:
The Future of Argo Town Hall

Session ID#: 91442

Session Description:
The panelists will discuss the status of the Argo array, and the stage of implementation of major new expansions. Argo has revolutionized global ocean observing down to 2000m for temperature and salinity measurements. It is now adding multi-disciplinary dimensions, and reaching into the hostile deep and polar oceans. The new Argo array is an ambitious next-generation observing system, which will deliver even greater value to society by gathering intelligence on Earths’ dynamic and life-giving oceans. This design is envisioned to be adopted by 2020 internationally with implementation starting in 2021.

This next phase of Argo:

  • Implementation of a global Deep Argo mission tripling the present Argo 2000 m depth limit to full ocean depth (6000 m).
  • Enhancing floats with sensors measuring chlorophyll fluorescence, particle backscatter, oxygen, nitrate, pH, and solar irradiance along with temperature, salinity and pressure.
  • Expansion of Argo to: marginal seas; fast-changing seasonal ice zones; improved coverage of the tropics and western boundary regions.

Panelist will discuss the challenges in realizing this vision, how long it might take and what key milestones need to be reached on the path to global rollout. Community feedback on the plans and potential uptake for the enhanced data stream will be welcome.

Co-Sponsor(s):
  • OB - Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry
  • PI - Physical-Biological Interactions
  • PL - Physical Oceanography: Mesoscale and Larger
Primary Contact:  Emily A. Smith, NOAA Washington DC, OAR, Washington, DC, United States
Presenters:  Susan Wjiffels1, Dean H Roemmich2, Stephen Riser3 and Nathalie V Zilberman2, (1)CSIRO Hobart, Hobart, TAS, Australia(2)University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States(3)University of Washington, School of Oceanography, Seattle, United States

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